Buying Advice Dazed and confused for so long it's....

seand · Apr 6, 2011

Hi,

OK, I have hit the wall looking at all the different makes and the hundreds of models of utility tractors available nowdays. My poor brain is suffering from optional paralisys. So I decided to ask the collective oracle of tractor knoweldge help me out.

Here are the details of my place: 14 acres, 2 of which are lawn, 1/3 acre garden, 600+ foot paved driveway, the rest wooded, on the north/west side of a medium sized mountain in snow country. Nothing on my property, except the floors in the house and shop are anything close to level and flat, for example the driveway rises almost 120 feet from street to garage.

What I need the tractor to do: Lower pallets of material out of trucks, these weigh up to 1 ton, move them up driveway to shop. (tailgate height to the floor in the shop) Lift pallets of about 1/4 to 1/2 ton of finished goods down driveway and load into said trucks. Snowblow and plow driveway from **** in the winter which last anywhere from 4 to 5 months with average snowfalls of 1.5 feet or about 18 feet+ per year. (Front mounted blower and blade, I hate loader mounted plows and I have neck issues so turning around to blow snow is right out) Run a 60" 3 point tiller for the garden, power a 3 pt splitter, run a 72" RFM. HST required as my wife has to do this if I'm out of town. I will only accept 3 range hydros (I tried a 2 range tractor once and it was just about useless on my property, low wasn't low enough and high was waaaaayyyy to high) I prefer dual pedals for hydro and brakes.

About me, very seasoned, tall, cranky male with joints that make more noise than popping bubble wrap. I have worked and played hard all my life and now I am paying the price with limited mobility in my neck, back and legs so that being said the tractor has to have a large operator station as I'm 6'4" and cant scrunch down to fit small cabs or stations.

So, whatdayasay, what tractors should I focus on?

Thanks for your help,

Big S

Edit: Should mention, I have a 28HP now, it runs all the implements fine but struggles plowing the driveway with any significant snowfall. Also, I have to breakdown the pallets to roughly 800-900 Lbs to get them off the trucks and limit outgoing shipments to 750 per pallet in order to lift to a tailgate. The budget for this I figure would be mid 30's, maybe a little more.

General Lee · Apr 6, 2011

Hmm, I'm not to up date on specific loader specs but based on your descriptions, I would start looking in about the 45hp horsepower range. Many sized tractors to include the smaller ones would handle your mowing and tilling needs, but since you have to lift up to 2,000lbs with a FEL, thats going to put you in the the 45+ hp range, maybe larger I believe. As I sit here and think about it, I'm not sure a FEL on a 45-50 hp tractor can lift 2,000lbs. May have to go larger. I'd have to start looking up specs. Of course the larger you go, the larger the operator station would be.

CinderSchnauzer · Apr 6, 2011

Do you have a budget figure in mind?

I'm not familiar enough with specs and model names of all the other brands, but if you need to lift 1 Ton with the FEL and HST is a must, plus the other requirements I'd suggest looking at the Deere 4x20 series with the CX self leveling FEL. If you're lanky and cranky then the 4320 CAB might be a good start point

especially with a front snow blower.

boggen · Apr 7, 2011

i can not find the thread now. i want to say "power trac" it articulates. or rather pivots in the center of the tractor. vs front tires turning. and they have different sized models.

the attachments are setup so they are all in the front of the tractor. vs rear 3pt hitch tractors. and they have a good load of attachments that if memory serves are all "quick attach" type of doing.

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they do sell 3pt hitch forklift attachments. that lower up and down.

or you have option of disconnecting the standard bucket and put on pallet forks on the FEL. the slide on forks that fit over bucket will result in less ability to lift stuff vs forks that replace the standard front bucket.

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on another note, if you have a Cab, it should come with standard rear view mirror and at min some side mirrors just like a vehicle. and if not should be easy to DIY. so you can look into mirrors vs turning neck around.

TripleR · Apr 7, 2011

I really like the Kubota Grand L Series. They have a good sized flat operator station. A 3940/4240 should work well. Sorry, but I am not familiar with the other brands though I am sure they also offer good choices.

bigbull338 · Apr 7, 2011

with what your wanting todo id look at a MX5100 HST 4x4 with an la844 quick tatch loader.it should lift what you want with ballast on the rear end.i have this tractor an it spent all winter lifting 1500lb 5 by 6 round bales.

SixHoeBob · Apr 7, 2011

I would look at the Grand L series, or the 5100. For carrying pallets down the driveway, determine which loader tractor combination has the shortest distance from front axle to bucket pin. Less distance translates into more stability. I think you want an 854/853 loader. Fill the rear tires, wheel weights, and 3pt. ballast. Look under your choices to see which has the heaviest transmission, sub frame etc.

Dr_Zinj · Apr 7, 2011

The equivalent of a Bobcat CT440 or Kioti CK40 are the lowest end tractors that will accommodate an FEL (with forks) that can lift 2000 pound pallets. That's their max FEL capacity, so I don't know what kind of responsiveness the FEL is going to have fully loaded.

That will also allow you a 72 inch front snow blower. I think any front mounted plow is going to be attached to the FEL, so really heavy snow or dirt work is going to put a lot of strain on it. Use the rear plow to draw snow after blowing would be my advice.

Like I said, that's the minimum size. Going with the minimum necessary for anything: computers, cars, guns, or tractors, is asking for a lot of heartache and stress. Go one or two models higher than minimum for best results.

seand · Apr 9, 2011

Hi All,

Thanks for your ideas so far. Went to the New Holland and then to the Kubota dealer today.

Looked at the Boomer open and cab in the 45-50HP range, really nice quality and design but the seat height and seat to pedal location relationship is all wrong for me, actually felt more cramped for my knees than my current chassis when I drove them around the "play pen" out back. Getting out of the seat was also difficult as it was low. Looked at the "8N" tribute, for lack of a better term, didn't really impress me and it was very difficult to get and off as the side step was way high and the station layout felt more cramped,

Onto the Kubotas, looked at the L40's, 42 and 52HP open and cab. The seating was the best in the cab although I have to say, the "treadle" was a bit odd as I'm used to either a dual pedal HST or a gear/reverser setup, it wasn't bad, just different. The seating/pedal relationship was still a little cramped for me but not painful like on the New Hollands. I loved the sound of the 5240, sounded like a piece of construction equipment with the turbo whine. and the hst-plus toys were fun to play with and the hi-lo for each range of the HST was nice.

So stay tuned, Deere, Kioti and Mahindra are up next weekend.

Thanks for your assistance,

S